Wearing the number nine, Rodrygo usually features on the left wing, though he played on the right of late and against Sport Recife he played as a centre forward.

Bought by Real Madrid for 45 million euros, he remains at Santos and came on as a substitute as his team led 1-0 thanks to Sasha's strike in the first minute.

Coach 'Cuca' decided to rest Rodrygo from the start but the 17-year-old was required to see out the win, which he did as he made his team more dangerous and scored after an assist from Derlis Gonzalez, taking the ball beyond the goalkeeper and slotting home.

It was his sixth goal of the season, becoming the team's joint leading goalscorer but remains four goals behind Fluminense's Pedro as the league's top scorer.

Ferraz added a third late on to secure a 3-0 win, taking the club to 12th and away from the relegation zone which would be disastrous for Santos, who have never been relegated before.